EP2330242B1 - Multihead sewing machine and lower thread assembly for multihead sewing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-head embroidery machine according to the preamble of claim 1 (See also US Pat. No. 4,515,116 ) and a lower thread unit according to the preamble of claim 13.

According to the book " Embroidery Techniques "by Friedrich Schöner and Klaus Freier (VEB book publisher Leipzig, 1982, 1st edition The embroidery machines can be subdivided according to different aspects: A first type of classification is based on the number of thread systems involved in the embroidery process: in some machines, the embroidery is produced by only one thread system, other machines require two thread systems, namely, in addition a second sub, Hind, spool, shuttle or bobbin thread.

A second type of classification is based on the number of needles working at the same time: The one-needle embroidery machines include the Singer, Eagle and Crank embroidery machines. Mehmadlige or rapport embroidery machines are shuttle embroidery machines and the hand embroidery machine.

In addition to these two groups, there is still the multi-head embroidery machine, which can be assigned to neither of the above two groups. The principle of this machine is based on a large table top 3, 4, 6, 10 or 12 Singer embroidery machine heads are mounted, which are set by a common drive shaft in motion. The synchronization of the heads thus achieved is necessary so that all needles simultaneously pierce or are out of the embroidery ground. In this case, the embroidery bottom can be clamped individually for each head in an embroidery hoop. These hoops are fastened by means of screw connections to a gate-like structure, which is controlled by a small automaton in the horizontal plane. For an embroidery machine with 6 heads, the embroidery field is approx. 240 x 200 mm. The stitch formation organs and the stitch formation process are identical to those of the Singer embroidery machine. The only difference to these is that on each needle still a presser is provided which holds the embroidery bottom during stitch formation. The presser foot is raised whenever the hoop moves. In addition, individual embroidery heads are usually equipped with a thread monitor system, which automatically shuts off the machine when the thread breaks.

The first multi-head embroidery machines were offered 100 years ago by the German Singer Nähmaschinen factory (see " The Art Of Embroidery, Coleman, Schneider, 1991 ). The first automatic multi-head embroidery machine was launched on the market in 1927 (also known as the "Würker Automat"). Technology and Product Theory, Klaus Freier, VEB book publisher, Leipzig, pages 130 to 131 ) Directed.

The present invention relates to the aforementioned multi-head embroidery sewing machines in which each embroidery head is provided with a plurality of needle locations. Hereinafter, these multi-head embroidery sewing machines are also referred to as multi-head Mehmadel embroidery machines in the description for ease of distinction. As a rule, each needle point comprises a thread monitor (optional), a thread guide (also referred to in the literature as thread take-up lever), thread guide devices, including stitch-compensating thread tension parts, for the upper thread and a needle arranged on a needle plunger which moved up and down and from a drive unit is driven. The aforementioned stitch-forming components are also referred to in the present description as an upper thread unit. The embroidery heads of the multi-head embroidery machines are mounted laterally displaceable on a support arm. Below each embroidery head is a throat plate in which a needle hole is provided for the needle and which the embroidery resp. Stichstelle defined locally. Each needle of an embroidery head is displaceable laterally to the mentioned stitching point, on which in operation the embroidery material spanned in a clamping frame which is displaceable in the x- and y-direction rests. The needle, which is located at the stitching point, penetrates through the embroidery material and into the needle hole during the needle movement. In this case, the upper thread is passed through the embroidery material and formed by a corresponding needle movement, a loop on the back of the embroidery material. Through this loop then the lower thread is guided. When retracting the needle, the upper thread is tightened and formed in the embroidery a so-called stitch. When embroidering only one of the needle points is active, namely the one which is located at the stitching point. The embroidery heads of the mentioned multi-head embroidery machines are arranged in a known manner in a specific Rapportverhältnis along the support arm.

A characteristic of these multi-head Mehmadel embroidery sewing machines is therefore that there are a plurality of needle locations per embroidery head. This has the advantage that each needle point can be equipped with a different thread and therefore buntings can be performed by always only the corresponding needle is put into action.

The needle tappet and their assigned thread levers of a group of needles are usually stored in a carrier, which brings the selected needle tappet and the associated thread lever before a stationary mounted drive for the purpose of changing the thread by moving.

A conventional multi-head Mehmadel embroidery sewing machine is exemplary in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown. This comprises a frame 201, an embroidery table 203 arranged on the frame 201 and a plurality of embroidery heads 205 arranged in series above the embroidery table FIG. 2 it can be seen, each embroidery head 205 has a plurality of needle points equipped with a needle 215 each. Each needle point comprises stationary thread guide elements 207 or thread brakes, respectively, an up and down movable thread take-up lever. Thread guide 209, Fadenumlenkteile 211 and one on a needle cancer 213 with needle tappet 214 arranged needle 215. As out FIG. 2 Further, each needle plunger 214 is equipped with a presser 217. Below the embroidery heads 205 hoop 219 are provided, in which a embroidery ground to be embroidered is aufspannbar. The embroidery frames 219 can be inserted into a large clamping frame 221 which extends across the width of the embroidery table 203. The clamping frame 221 is displaceable in a known manner in the x and y directions. As already mentioned above, the embroidery heads are arranged on a linear guide 223 and displaceable along it in the x-direction.

The lower thread for the embroidery head is provided in the conventional multi-head Mehmadel embroidery machines each by a spool, which is accommodated in a housing, as used in any conventional sewing machine. On the spool can be wound up to 100 m thread. This has the consequence that in the multi-head embroidery machines, the spools are changed relatively of. When the thread supply is exhausted, the machine must be stopped and the spool changed.

A conventional shuttle embroidery machine contains a large number of embroidering points arranged in a row and an equally large number of needles and shuttles. Unlike spools, boats have the advantage that bobbins with up to approximately 250 m of thread can be accommodated in the shuttle. To reciprocate the shuttle is a driver bar, which extends over the entire length of the shuttle embroidery machine. For each boat, a lower driver nail and an upper driver nail are provided in the driver bar, between which the shuttle is located. With these driver nails the shuttle is moved up and down in the shuttle of the so-called Stöckli. Such shuttle embroidery machines are for example in the EP-A-1 881 098 . EP-A-1 595 990 . EP-A-1 495 174 and DE 286 479 disclosed. This shuttle embroidery machine has in common that the driver bar is set in a reciprocating motion via a transmission. This has the advantage that only one transmission is necessary for the multiplicity of embroidering points. To enable even higher embroidery speeds, the beats EP-A-1 595 990 to couple the drive shaft via a plurality of spaced apart crank gear. This can be counteracted deformation of the driver bar at very high speeds stitching. A disadvantage of said shuttle embroidery machines is that they are expensive to manufacture.

Object of the present invention is to propose a multi-head embroidery sewing machine, which does not have certain of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, an object is to provide a multi-head embroidery sewing machine, which differs from conventional machines by a higher efficiency. The aim is to provide a machine in which the bobbin thread needs to be changed less often. Yet another goal is to provide a machine that is easy to operate.

The present invention relates to a multi-head embroidery machine. This has at least one embroidery head, which has a plurality of needle locations. The needle locations are relative to an x-direction embroidery location, i. laterally, slidably arranged on a table or support. Each needle point comprises organs, such as thread guides, thread guiding devices, and a needle plunger, to each of which a needle can be fastened. The needle plungers can be moved back and forth in the z-direction. The aforementioned organs are collectively referred to as upper thread unit. Each embroidery head is assigned a lower thread unit. Between the upper thread unit and the lower thread unit, a clamping frame for clamping an embroidery material is arranged. The clamping frame has two in the y-direction spaced from each other first and second fabric holding elements. As is well known, multi-head embroidery machines have a transmission, e.g. with a central drive shaft to synchronously drive the upper and lower thread unit.

According to the invention the problem is solved in an embroidery machine according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the lower thread unit has a Schiffchenführungsvorrichtung for guiding a shuttle and a transmission for driving the Schiffchenführungsvorrichtung. During operation of the embroidery machine, the drive ensures that the shuttle is moved back and forth. Each drive is directly with only one shuttle, respectively. Shuttles recording connected. The shuttle guide device is realized as a single-boat guidance. In contrast to shuttle embroidery machines, however, no driver bar with driver nails is provided in the embroidery machine according to the invention, but a separate transmission for each boat. The advantage over conventional shuttle embroidery machines is that much less mass has to be moved. The drives for the boats are synchronized driven by a continuous shaft. The use of a shuttle instead of a spool in a multi-head embroidery sewing machine has the great advantage that the thread supply can be up to 250 m instead of about 100 m. As a result, the bobbin thread needs to be changed much less frequently in the new embroidery machine. Another advantage is that the wells already known in large embroidery machines can be used.

Advantageously, the shuttle guiding device comprises a carriage movably arranged along a guide element for receiving a shuttle, wherein the carriage is in each case in communication with the transmission. The carriage can be guided precisely and ensures the propulsion of the shuttle. Conveniently, a rotatable drive shaft is provided which is in communication with the transmission. The transmission is preferably designed to perform the rotating movement to convert the drive shaft into a reciprocating motion of the shuttle. There are different transmission variants known to convert a rotational movement into a translational movement. To mention in particular the coupling gear and the cam mechanism. Both types of gear are suitable for use on the embroidery machine according to the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shuttle guide device is arranged on a mounting frame and has a carriage movably arranged on the carriage guide device for receiving a shuttle. This carriage is coupled to the transmission in such a way that the shuttle track can be moved back and forth in a plane which runs essentially parallel to the throat plate (and thus to the embroidery base) and perpendicular to the direction of needle movement. Such a unit is inexpensive to produce and allows high speeds.

Advantageously, a motion conversion mechanism is provided which converts the rotary motion of a drive shaft into a reciprocating motion of the carriage. The person skilled in various variants for converting a rotational movement in a translational (axial) movement are known. According to a first preferred variant, the reciprocating motion of the shuttle is resp. of the shuttle accommodating the carriage via directly or indirectly associated with a drive shaft cams or cam gears generated. Such drives can be designed differently and are known in the art. According to a second variant, the reciprocating movement of the shuttle is resp. of the shuttle receiving the carriage generated via a drive shaft in communication coupling gear. An eccentric elements having coupling gear has the advantage that a play-free guidance of the carriage is possible.

It is conceivable that the shuttle movement in one direction through the transmission, e.g. a cam or a lever mechanism in combination with a rocker arm, comes about, and the return movement of the carriage by a spring means which is connected to the carriage or a carriage coupled to the part, is effected. In such a variant, the transmission would thus drive the shuttle against the force of a return movement causing spring means. Such a transmission can be relatively simple and correspondingly inexpensive. Preferably, however, the forward and backward movement of the carriage is effected by a cam gear.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmission has a pivotable about an axis of rotation rocker arm and a hinged to a first end of the rocker arm Schiffchenpleuel. This Schiffchenpleuel is preferably hinged to the other, second end of the carriage. In addition, a device, in particular crank rocker or crank mechanism, is provided, which is in communication with the rocker arm to reciprocate the rocker arm in the embroidery mode. Advantageously, the device is formed by a first gear which is rotatably mounted on the main drive shaft, a second gear which engages the toothing of the first gear and is rotatably mounted on the mounting frame about an axis of rotation, and a connecting rod, which with a first end on second gear and is hinged to the second end of the rocker arm. Such a trained gear allows a play-free guidance of the carriage and a high number of revolutions during operation of the embroidery machine.

Advantageously, the shuttle guide device is a linear guide with at least one rectilinear guide element, on which guide element of the carriage for receiving the shuttle is slidably disposed. Such a linear guide is less prone to failure, durable and inexpensive to produce. For a precise guidance of the carriage, the shuttle guide device preferably has two spaced-apart, parallel guide elements, preferably guide rods, on which the carriage is movably arranged.

An advantageous embodiment of the shuttle guide device provides that this is arranged pivotably about a pivot axis on the mounting frame and is pivotable from an operating position to an open position. This has the advantage that the boat is easily accessible when it has to be changed. Locking means are advantageously provided to determine the carriage guide device in the operating position.

Conveniently, the Schiffchenführungsvorrichtung, the transmission and preferably the main drive shaft are arranged on the mounting frame. In this case, the mounting frame can also be placed on the main drive shaft, which drives a plurality of lower thread units simultaneously. The mounting frame may have feet with mounting holes for mounting the same on a substrate, in particular a carrier which extends to the entire length of the machine on which the table is mounted. Advantageously, a plurality of upper thread units and associated lower thread units are arranged on a frame. In this case, the lower thread units, which are each arranged on a separate mounting frame, arranged at the distance of the embroidery heads on an embroidery machine frame. In addition, at least one clamping frame is preferably provided for clamping the embroidery material, which is movably arranged between the upper and lower thread units in the x and y directions. Such a tenter is known to those skilled in conventional multi-head Mehmadel embroidery sewing machines. Preferably, the rocker arm is pivotally mounted on a clamping block about a rotation axis, and the clamping block is rotatably connected to a pivot shaft. Such an arrangement has the advantage that further movement possibilities of the boat are given by the mobility of the rocker arm, for example, to move the shuttle regardless of a movement of the main drive shaft. This allows, for example, on the one hand to move the shuttle out of phase, or to move the shuttle when the main drive is stopped.

• einem Montagerahmen, an welchem eine Schiffchenführungsvorrichtung vorzugsweise angeordnet ist,
• einem an der Schiffchenführungsvorrichtung beweglich angeordneten Schlitten für die Aufnahme eines Schiffchens, und
• einem am Montagerahmen angeordneten Getriebe, welches mit dem Schlitten gekoppelt ist zur Erzeugung einer hin- und hergehenden Bewegung des Schiffchens im Stickbetrieb. Solche Unterfadeneinheiten können mit den dazugehörenden Oberfadeneinheiten zu Mehrkopf-Mehmadel-Stickmaschinen unterschiedlicher Grösse zusammengebaut sein. Dabei treibt eine vorzugsweise gemeinsame Hauptantriebswelle eine Mehrzahl von Unterfaden- und Oberfadeneinheiten. Vorteilhafte Ausbildungen solcher Unterfadeneinheiten sind in den Unteransprüchen definiert und wurden bereits oben eingehend diskutiert.

The present invention is also a lower thread unit for a multi-head multi-needle embroidery machine, with

• a mounting frame on which a shuttle guide device is preferably arranged,
• a carriage movably arranged on the shuttle guide device for receiving a shuttle, and
• a arranged on the mounting frame gear, which is coupled to the carriage for generating a reciprocating motion of the shuttle in embroidery operation. Such lower thread units can be assembled with the associated upper thread units to multi-head Mehmadel embroidery machines of different sizes. In this case, a preferably common main drive shaft drives a plurality of lower thread and upper thread units. Advantageous embodiments of such lower thread units are defined in the subclaims and have already been discussed in detail above.

Fig. 1

Eine herkömmliche Mehrkopf-Mehmadel-Sticknähmaschine mit mehreren Stickköpfen in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 2

Ein einzelner Stickkopf einer bekannten Mehrkopf-Mehmadel-Sticknähmaschine mit mehreren Nadelstellen in einer Frontansicht;

Fig. 3

Eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Unterfadeneinheit einer neuartigen Mehrkopf-Mehmadel-Stickmaschine mit einer an einem Montagerahmen angeordneten Schlittenführungsvorrichtung für einen Schlitten, einem Schlitten und einem Getriebe zum Bewegen des Schlittens;

Fig. 4

Die Unterfadeneinheit von Fig. 3 in Seitenansicht, wobei der Schlitten sich in einer zurückgezogenen Extremposition befindet;

Fig. 5

Eine Ansicht der Unterfadeneinheit wie in Fig. 4, in welcher der Schlitten sich in einer Zwischenposition befindet;

Fig. 6

Eine Ansicht der Unterfadeneinheit wie in Fig. 4, in welcher der Schlitten sich in einer vorderen Extremposition befindet;

Fig. 7

Eine Ansicht der Unterfadeneinheit wie in Fig. 4, in welcher der Schlitten sich in einer Zwischenposition auf dem Rückweg von der vorderen Extremposition befindet;

Fig. 8

Eine Ansicht der Unterfadeneinheit wie in Fig. 4, in welcher die Schlittenführungsvorrichtung nach unten in eine Offenstellung verschwenkt ist;

Fig. 9

Schematisch eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Schiffchengetriebes mit Exzenterscheiben.

Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the figures. It shows:

Fig. 1

A conventional multi-head Mehmadel embroidery sewing machine with multiple embroidery heads in a perspective view;

Fig. 2

A single embroidery head of a known multi-head Mehmadel embroidery sewing machine with multiple needle locations in a front view;

Fig. 3

A perspective view of an inventive lower thread unit of a novel multi-head Mehmadel embroidery machine with a mounted on a mounting frame carriage guide device for a carriage, a carriage and a gearbox for moving the carriage;

Fig. 4

The bobbin unit of Fig. 3 in side view, wherein the carriage is in a retracted extreme position;

Fig. 5

A view of the bobbin unit as in Fig. 4 in which the carriage is in an intermediate position;

Fig. 6

A view of the bobbin unit as in Fig. 4 in which the carriage is in a forward extreme position;

Fig. 7

A view of the bobbin unit as in Fig. 4 in which the carriage is in an intermediate position on the return from the forward extreme position;

Fig. 8

A view of the bobbin unit as in Fig. 4 in which the carriage guiding device is pivoted downwards into an open position;

Fig. 9

Schematically another embodiment of a shuttle transmission with eccentric discs.

The in the FIGS. 3 to 8 illustrated Bobbin thread unit 11 of a multi-head Mehmadel embroidery machine comprises a mounting frame 13, on which a shuttle guide device 15 is arranged with a reciprocable carriage 17, and a gear 19, which with the carriage 17 for generating the reciprocating movement in one Active compound is. The shuttle guide device 15 is preferably a linear guide formed by two guide rods 21, which is arranged on the mounting frame 13. The guide rods 21 are arranged between a front plate 23 and a mounting block 25 at a distance and parallel to each other. The mounting block 25 is pivoted about a rotation axis 27 on the mounting plate 13.

At the guide rods 21 of the carriage 17 is guided linearly movable. On the carriage 17, a receptacle 29 is formed for a boat 31, in which a reel with the lower thread can be used. The boat 31 is preferably identical to those boats, as they are used in the known large shuttle embroidery machines.

The transmission 19 for generating a reciprocating movement of the carriage 17 preferably comprises a pivotable about a rotation axis 33 rocking lever 35, a Schiffchenpleuel 37, which is articulated with a first end on the rocker arm 35 and the second end of the carriage 17 7, and a connecting rod 39 which engages with a first end on a gear 41 and a second end approximately in the center of the rocker arm 39. The toothing of the gear 41 engages in the toothing of a drive gear 43, which is arranged rotatably on a drive shaft 45. The drive shaft 45 extends across the entire width of the novel multihead Mehmadel embroidery machine and drives the shuttles of a plurality of lower thread units simultaneously (not shown in the figures).

The gear 41 is freely rotatably mounted on the mounting frame 13 about a rotation axis 47. By means of the pin 49 rotatably hinged to the gear connecting rod 39 an eccentric gear is formed, through which upon rotation of the gear 41 of the rocker arm 35 and thus also the carriage 17 is put into a reciprocating motion. Via the drive shaft 45, the carriage movement is synchronized with the needle movement of the upper thread unit not shown in the figures.

According to the preferred embodiment shown, the carriage guide device 15 is pivotally mounted about the rotation axis 27 on the mounting frame 13 and can be pivoted from an operating position in which the shuttle guide runs parallel to a throat plate 51, in an open position in which the slide guide device 15 of the throat plate 51 has swung away. In order to determine the slide guide device 15 in the operating position, an axially movable and prestressed by a spring 55 locking pin 57 is provided on a projection 53. The locking pin 57 can engage in a recess 59 when the slide guide device 15 is pivoted to the needle plate 51. The recess 59 is provided on an arranged on the mounting frame 13, elongate guide member 61. At opposite ends of the guide member 61 provided projections 63 limit the path of the pivotable carriage guide device 15. In the open position of the carriage guide device 15, the boat 31 can be easily changed because it is easily accessible from the outside.

On the mounting frame 13 feet 65 are formed or moored to arrange the lower thread unit 11 on a frame not shown in detail. Preferably, the frame is a table frame, as it is known from the multi-head multi-needle embroidery sewing machines. However, it is also conceivable to mount the lower thread unit on a vertical base, so that the boats in the vertical perform an up and down movement. For this purpose, the fabric would have to be rotated from the horizontal position to a vertical position, and the needle as well, so that it is perpendicular to the fabric. In the feet 65 circular holes 67 are provided to fasten the lower thread units by means of screws on a frame can. On the mounting frame 13 and the stitch plate 51 is arranged. In the throat plate 51, a needle hole 69 is provided through which each of the needle located in the embroidery position (not shown in the figures) of the Mehmadelstickkopfes can extend.

According to the preferred embodiment of a bobbin thread unit shown in the figures, the rocking lever 35 is rotatably arranged on an axis 68, which is part of a clamping part 70. The clamping member 70 is rotatably mounted on a pivotable shaft 72 which is pivotable between two extreme positions. The pivotability of the rocker arm 35 has the advantage that the carriage 17 is independent of the drive by the pivot axis 72 movable. This further degree of freedom of movement makes it possible, for example, to lay the needle thread when embroidering or to offset the shuttle movement during drilling.

In Fig. 9 Another possible embodiment of a transmission for the generation of shuttle movement is shown. The transmission comprises a lever 71, which is pivotable about a stationary pivot point 73. A first arm 75 cooperates with a first eccentric cam or cam 77 and the second arm 79 with a second eccentric cam 81. Upon rotation of the eccentric disks 77, 81 about its pivot 83, a reciprocating movement of the lever 71 is forced, which can drive a shuttle. Instead of using a two-armed lever and two eccentric disks, a simple lever 84 and a spring 85 can also be used to effect a restoring movement ( Fig. 10 ).

A multi-head multi-needle embroidery sewing machine has a plurality of spaced embroidery heads which are arranged laterally movable on carrier rails. Each embroidery head has a plurality of at regular intervals from each other needle locations, the essential stitch forming members, a thread guide, thread guide means, and a needle arranged on a needle ram. These components are summarized in the context of the present application also referred to as upper thread unit. In operation, the needle performs an up and down movement and penetrates into the needle hole of a needle plate, on which the embroidery base is arranged. Each embroidery head is assigned a lower thread unit, which under resp. located behind the throat plate. A preferably common transmission ensures a synchronous movement of the upper thread unit and the lower thread unit. In contrast to the conventional multi-head multi-needle embroidery sewing machines, the lower thread unit has a shuttle instead of a spool, in which a bobbin with up to 250 m thread can be accommodated.

Legend

11

Lower thread unit

13

mounting frame

15

Schlittenfiihrungsvorrichtung

17

carriage

19

transmission

21

guide bars

23

faceplate

25

mounting block

27

Rotary axis of the mounting block

29

admission

31

shuttle

33

Rotary axis of the rocker arm

35

rocker

37

Schiffchenpleuel

39

pleuel

41

gear

43

drive gear

45

drive shaft

47

Rotary axis of the gear 41st

49

Bolt for attaching the connecting rod to the gear 41

51

needle plate

53

extension

55

feather

57

locking pin

59

recess

61

guide part

63

Projections on the guide part

65

Feet of the mounting frame

67

Holes in the foot of the mounting frame

68

Axis for connecting rod 39

69

pinhole

70

clamping part

71

lever

72

Shaft for pivoting the connecting rod 39

73

Fulcrum of the lever 71

75.79

first and second arm of the lever 71st

77.81

first and second eccentric or cam disc

83

Fulcrum of the eccentric discs

84

simple lever

85

feather

Claims (14)

1. Multi-head embroidery machine, comprising at least one embroidery head, which embroidery head has a plurality of needle positions, which are arranged so they can move in a direction of displacement relative to an embroidery position, and

   - in each case a lower thread unit (11) associated with an embroidery head, characterised in

   - that the lower thread unit (11) has a shuttle guide device (15) to guide a shuttle (31) and a transmission (19) to drive the shuttle guide device wherein for each shuttle guide device (15) a separate transmission (19) is provided.
2. Embroidery machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the shuttle guide device (15) comprises a carriage (17), arranged so it can move along a guide device (21), for accommodating a shuttle (31), and each carriage is connected to the transmission (19).
3. Embroidery machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a rotatable drive shaft (45), which is connected to the transmission (19), is provided and the transmission is designed to convert the rotary movement of the drive shaft (45) into a reciprocating movement of the shuttle.
4. Embroidery machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the transmission (19) is a coupled gear or a cam gear.
5. Embroidery machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the shuttle guide device (15) and the transmission are arranged on a mounting frame (13).
6. Embroidery machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the transmission (19) has a rocker arm (35) that can pivot about a rotational axis and a shuttle connecting rod (37), a first end of which is articulated on the rocker arm (35), the other, second end of which shuttle connecting rod (37) is articulated on the carriage (17), and in that a device, in particular a crank mechanism, is provided which is connected to the rocker arm (35) in order to move the rocker arm (35) back and forth during the embroidery process.
7. Embroidery machine according to claim 3 and 6, characterised in that the device is formed by a first gear wheel (43), which is locked on the main drive shaft (45), a second gear wheel (41), which engages in the teeth of the first gear wheel (43) and is arranged on the mounting frame (13) so that it can pivot about a rotational axis (47), and a connecting rod (39), a first end of which is articulated on the second gear wheel (41) and the second end of which is articulated on the rocker arm (35).
8. Embroidery machine according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the shuttle guide device (15) is a linear guide with at least one guide element (21) running in a straight-line, on which guide element (21) the carriage (17) is displaceably arranged in order to accommodate the shuttle (31).
9. Embroidery machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the carriage guide device (15) is arranged on the mounting frame (13) so that it can pivot about a rotational axis (27) and can be swivelled from an operating position to an open position.
10. Embroidery machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a plurality of embroidery heads and a corresponding number of lower thread units associated therewith are arranged on a rack, and in that at least one clamping frame is provided for stretching the embroidery fabric, which is arranged so it can move between the upper and lower thread units in the x and y-direction on the embroidery machine rack.
11. Embroidery machine according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the rocker arm (35) is arranged on a clamp block (70) so that it can pivot about a rotational axis, and the clamp block (70) is preferably locked with a swivel shaft.
12. Embroidery machine according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterised in that the one movement of the carriage (17) in one direction is caused by the transmission, and the other movement of the carriage (17) in the opposite direction is caused by a spring, which is connected to the carriage (17) or a part coupled with the carriage (17).
13. Lower thread unit (11) for a multi-head embroidery machine, comprising

    - a mounting frame (13), on which a shuttle guide device (15) is arranged,

    - a carriage (17) arranged so it can move on the shuttle guide device (15) for accommodating a shuttle (31), and

    - a transmission arranged on the mounting frame (13), which is coupled with the carriage (17) in order to produce a reciprocating movement of the shuttle (31) during the embroidery process, whereas for each shuttle guide device (15) a separate transmission (19) is provided.
14. Lower thread unit (11) according to claim 13, characterised in that the transmission is a coupled gear or cam gear that the shuttle guide device (15) preferably is arranged on the mounting frame (13), so it can pivot about a rotational axis (27) and can be swivelled from an operating position to an open position, and vice versa.

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